Frankfurt: Jaguar and Land Rover are still on the block and as bidding moves to round two it seems that parent company Ford is having second thoughts.

It is one of the showstoppers at Frankfurt this year. Jaguar's XF, which replaces the S type. The car comes at a time when the Ford group company is on the block along with Land Rover.

Like all motor shows the Ford family stayed together even though the future of the brands is uncertain under the Ford umbrella.

At Land Rover the new Freelander took centre stage and given the good sales at the British marque off late, new products are being viewed as a sign of confidence.

But which way will the bids for the stake sale go? Sources close to the development have told NDTV that strengthening sales and appeal of both the brands have led the Ford management reconsider selling the entire stake in both companies.

Minority stake

Ford is now leaning towards the option of selling minority stakes to PE firms. The company's board members are now keen to retain management control.

This means that both Mahindra and Tata's bids look shaky and the chances now look better for Jacques Nasser's OneEquity Partners, Ripplewood and Cerberus.